Effects of seismic exploration on summering elk in the Two Medicine Badger Creek area, northcentral Montana

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APR 6-1194:

SEP 23 1998
JAM 9 2008

APPENDIX

EFFECTS OF SEISMIC EXPLORATION

ON SUMMERING ELK IN THE
TWO MEDICINE - BADGER CREEK AREA,
NORTHCENTRAL MONTANA

^^lEOOCTOETO COLLECTION

K.i' s m ^

MONMNA STATE UBBASY

Gary Olscn

Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks
December, 1981

- 78 -

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Abstract 1

Introduction 2

Description of Study Area 2

Literature Review 5

Methods . 7

Results 9

Discussion 19

Literature Cited 23

List of Figures

Fig. 1 Study Area , 4

Fig. 2 Elk 4t1 under effects of drug. Glacier

National Park in background , 7

Fig. 3 Various locations of elk 4-1 showing

seismic lines 10

Fig. 4 Upper South Fork Two Medicine River 11

Fig. 5 Hyde Creek drainage and Two Medicine Ridge 12

Fig. 6 Various locations of elk 4-7 showing

seismic lines 13

Fig. 7 Continental Divide at head of Lee and

Sydney Creeks 1^

Fig. 8 Various locations of elk 4-6 showing

seismic lines 15

Fig. 9 Various locations of elk 3-8 showing

seismic lines 17

Fig. 10 Movements of two cow elk in relation to

seismic activity 21

List of Tables

[able 1 Trapning and tagging information

on Two Medicine elk 8

Table ?. Comparison of elk movements on two

different summer ranges in relation

to seismic activity 18

Abstract

Four radio collared cow elk were monitored throughout the spring, summer,
and fall, 1981, to assess the effects of geophysical exploration on their dis-
tribution in the Badger Creek - South Fork Two Medicine River area of north-
central Montana. For comparison, movements of two radio collared elk summering
in the Middle Fork Flathead drainage (where no seismic activity took place) were
also monitored.

Seismic methods employed were mainly surface blasting with one line by
Dorta-drill. Helicopters were used to transport men and equipment. A total
of seven seismic lines were surveyed through the study area during August,
September, and October by Seisdata Services, Inc., SEFEL Company, and Mountain
Geophysical Corporation.

As helicopter and blasting activity proceeded eastward, elk generally
began moving back into the drainages occuppied before exploration began. No
locations were noted in direct line of sight of seismic work, rather the elk
preferred to remain at least one ridge or drainage from the disturbance,
mostly in heavy timber cover.

Based on average distances moved between flights for radio collared elk
along the Middle Fork Flathead River in the Great Bear Wilderness, the Two
Medicine group moved at least 50% more between observations.

Another collared elk which summered in Glacier National Park moved
over a steep pass into an adjacent drainage approximately the same time as
seismic work began in the South Fork Two Medicine valley. Her average movements
between locations for the summer-fall period were much the same as the Middle
Fork Flathead elk.

Levels of activity in winter similiar to that of this summer may cause
severe physiological stress on the South Fork Two Medicine herd. Forced move-
nipnts to marginal winter range may disrupt reproductive processes and nutritional
balances. The net effect could be calf losses and death of weaker segments of
the herd structure.

Recommendations for future seismic activity in this area are:

1. Eliminate activity on occuppied winter range from November 1 -
May 15.

2. Prevent disturbances in known calving and spring migration zones
from May 1 - July 1.

3. Designate specific travel routes, no more than 1/2 mile wide, for
aircraft and work crews to minimize "cut across" traffic between
lines. Helicopters in flight should maintain a 500 foot elevation
above valley bottoms, sideslopes, and passes. Bighorn sheep and
mountain goat concentration areas should be avoided altogether.

4. Maintain a distance of one main drainage or three tributary drainages
between concurrent seismic lines. Lines running perpendecular to the
direction of drainages could be handled in a manner which would allow
at least 5 miles between concurrent lines.

I

Introducti on

Early in the soring of 1981 three e"Ik(cervus eiaphus) were collared with
radio transmitters on winter range along the South Fork Two Medicine River.
The radio telemetry study was initiated in order to assess the effects of
geophysical exploration on summering elk in the Badger Creek-Two Medicine
drainages. A portion of the funding was provided by the Rocky Mountain Ranger
District, Lewis and Clark National Forest, with the remainder by Montana Depart-
ment of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks. In addition, movements of two radio collared
elk were monitored on summer range along the Middle Fork Flathead River (Great
Bear Wilderness) where no seismic activity occurred.

The scope of the study was limited to actual movements of elk from the time
they were collared through the general hunting season of 1981. Up to this time
there had been no intensive studies of the Badger-Two Medicine elk herd. Track-
ing of elk occurred from fixed wing aircraft and on the ground with portable
receiving equipment. Locations were plotted on 7.5 minute topographic maps.
Seismic data such as line locations and dates of activity was provided by Lewis
Younq, Wildlife Biologist, Rocky Mountain Ranger District.

Hydrocarbon extraction and development along the Rocky Mountain Front are
quite likely, as evidenced by the intense interest oil and gas companies have
shov.m in the leasing of minerals and seismic exploration. Wildcat discoveries of
natural tjas in the Blackleaf area, (30 miles southeast of the Badger-Two Medicine
study area) in late 1980 intensified seismic exploration and leasing interest on
national Forest lands along the Front in 1931, when approximately 190 miles of
lines were surveyed. Three companies operated in the Cadner-Two Medicine area
dunna August, Seotember, and October for a total of 48 iiiiles of seismic lines.

Description of Study Area

The Badger Creek-Two Medicine River Study area (Fig. 1) is bounded by
Hiahway 2 and Glacier National Park on the northwest, by the Blackfoot Indian
reservation on the east and north, by Birch Creek on the southern end, and by
the Continental Divide on the west. The area contains some 123,000 acres of
National Forest with 2,800 acres private (Schal lenberger 1974).

Elevations in this mountainous terrain vary from 8,385 foot Morningstar
Mountain to 4,553 feet on lower Badger Creek, near the National Forest boundary.

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Weather records for the area reveal a mean annual precipitation of around 40
inches, approximately 60% of which falls as snow during November through April.
The mean monthly temperature is 36° F, with extremes of -40° F in the winter to
90-100° F in late summer. Strong westerly winds often contribute to the "chinook"
effect that is common along the Rocky Mountain Front.

Birch Creek, Badger Creek, and the South Fork Two Medicine River all drain
in an easterly direction toward the Blackfoot Indian Reservation. These river
valleys are generally U-shaped with a flood plain and sideslopes that are heavily
timbered and dotted with moist open meadows.

Wintering elk concentrate in the lower Two Medicine and Badger Creek area,
as well as open south and west facing slopes along tributary streams. Lubec Ridge
and Two Medicine Ridge are also heavily used, especially during the mild winters.
Sunmering areas include Two Medicine Ridge and beyond to high valleys beneath
the Continental Divide, however, a portion of the winter herd apparently moves
across U.S. Highway 2 into Glacier National Park for the summer and fall months.

Fires in 1889 and 1910 burned a majority of the study area. Today wide-
spread aspen and lodgepole pine stands verify the fire record and indicate an
early successional vegetative phase.

The Two Medicine-Badger unit contains 174 miles of trails as well as 34 miles
of former primitive seismograph roads; there are 26 miles of roads including
about 8 miles of U.S. Highway 2 (Schal lenberger 1974). The main line Burlington
Northern track lies adjacent to Highway 2.

Seismograph roads were constructed in the area during 1955-57 with extensive
seismic activity in the 1960's. These roads provided convenient routes of travel
with the advent of the snowmobile. Many feel that the roads combined with four-
wheel drives and snowmobiles increased illegal hunting, especially during the
winter and spring. Two of the main roads were closed in October, 1972, but snow-
mobile activity persists. Year round hunting, especially on snowmobiles, greatly
impacts wintering elk and moose. Several outfitters and hunters utilize the
3adger-Two Medicine area for elk and bear hunting. The present five week season
allows one week of either sex elk hunting, with the remainder antlered bulls.
Approximately 50 animals per year are harvested in Hunting District 415, of
which Badger Creek and South Fork Two Medicine are the primary elk habitat.

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Hunter success varies annually with weather conditions, averaging ll". Periodic
winter flights are conducted by Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks personnel
to get population numbers as well as annual production.

Homesteads were established within the National Forest about 1910; several
of these area still inhabited year round. In 1909, 8,000 sheep were authorized
on the South Fork Two Medicine-Badger Creek. Cattle were also allowed on the
Forest at this time. At present about 600 head of cattle and 1000 sheep are
allowed to graze on this portion of the Forest.

Literature Review

Even a very superficial review of work done on elk, roads, and human
disturbance indicates that line of sight barriers are important as elk move
away from the source of the disturbance. Avoidance of roads by elk has been
documented by several researchers, Roberts 1974, Black et al. 1975, Gruel and
Roby 1975, Ward 1975, Hershey and Leege 1975, Marcum 1975, Basile and Lonner 1979,
Lyon 1979, Rost and Bai ly 1979 , and Montana Cooperative Elk-Logging Study 1981.

Perry and Overly (1977) found that roads in the Blue Mountains of Washington
significantly reduced both elk and deer distribution in meadow habitat. South
and west slopes were used to a greater extent and therefore roads in these areas
were particularly detrimental. Lonner (1981) states that when man alters the
environment in which elk live individual elk or groups of elk usually remain
on their established home range but will use it differently. The larger
the home range area altered and the faster the rate of alternation the more
tenuous the elk use of that area becomes. Morganti (1979) studying big game in
western Alberta found that learned avoidance of human activities by hunted elk
could prevent them from optimizing their distribution and habitat selection.
Disturbance, therefore, may disrupt herd use of critical winter range and force
animals into marginal habitats (Telfer 1978).

The effects of hydrocarbon exploration and development on elk are not well
documented in earlier literature, however, limited research in areas of such
activities is currently available. Intense exploration and subsequent development
produced many hastily planned roads which in conjunction with a vast network
of seismic lines resulted in almost unlimited access to critical elk winter
range concentration along the Pembina River in Alberta (Smith et al . 1980).

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The net result was thought to be a reduction in total elk numbers and a decrease
in productivity resulting from displacement of animals from primary range.

Reductions of elk in response to increased access has been documented in
several other areas. Johnson and Lockman (1980) found that elk moved their calves
at earlier ages in areas where drilling was occuring and avoided meadows which
were visable from rig access roads.

Knight (1980) indicated that seismic activity significantly effected the
movements but not the distribution of elk in northern Michigan. He further
stated that significant increases in elk daily movements may disturb rut and
calving activities. In marginal quality habitat sudden movements could possibly
place the elk in critical situations.

A study in Alberta by Stubbs, et al . (1979) revealed the impacts of seismic

activity of big game winter range. Indications are that helicopters have a very

distressing effect on big game and therefore this activity should be kept at a
minimum. These researchers recommend:

1. No activity between December 1 and May 1 on ungulate winter ranees.

2. To protect lambing and calving grounds no activity until after July 1.

3. Specific travel lanes should be designated.

Kasworm (1981) felt that timing restrictions for oil and gas activities
alom the Rocky Mountain Front on mule deer winter ranges should be impleniented
froni December 15 - May 15, migration corridors from May 15 - June 15, and
tra^isi tional ranae from October 15 - December 31.

Hoskins (1981) during an elk-seismic study in Wyoming noted that elk at
a distance of over 2 miles from the disturbance distributed themselves more at
randciii, while elk within 2 miles of the disturbance used the terrain as a sheiter
f ro;ri the activity. Other research in Alberta has indicated that the imnect of
sev-.ir^.ic activity is probably cumulative and where one orogram might be easily
toler':^ted, numerous projects create considerable impact from line clearing,
explosions, machinery, campsites, and concentrated human activity (Telfer 1978).
Shared collection of seismic data may be one solution. Kasworm (1981) felt that
weather, livestock grazing, housing developments, and recreation in combination
with oil and gas development could produce significant changes in mule deer
oopulations.

Stubbs, et al. (1979) summarized the problem, "our approach has been that

wildlife and its management is no more important than other renewable and non-
renewable resource management - but certainly no less".

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Methods

Radio collaring of elk was accomplished by use of a state-owned Bell (4763B-2j
helicopter and tranquilizer gun. Animals were immobilized using approximately
22-24 milligrams of succinylcholine chloride dihydrate. Reaction times varied
from 2.5-15 minutes. Elk remained immobilized for 45-120 minutes. Taa numbers
and neckband descriptions are summarized in Table 1. !4ovements of two cow elk
not subject to seismic disturbance (in the Great Bear Wilderness) approximately
12 miles south of the study area were compared and treated as controls.

An AVM model LA- 12 receiver was used as well as AVM transmitters. Receiving
antennas were mounted beneath a Piper Supercub aircraft and rotated in the direction
of the signal. Locations were plotted on 7.5 r.inute quadrangle maps. On the ground
locations \^ere made using a Telonics RA-2AK two element directional "H" antenna.
Three elk were monitored froni April through December, 1981, while a fourth
elk moved into the area from the Dupuyer-Blackleaf drainages (30 miles southeast)
during the summer of 1980 and remained in the Badger area during 1981.

A total of 64 locations of six elk (4 in study area plus 2 in adjacent wilderness)
was accumulated from May through November, 1981, with the majority during August
and September while seismic biasing occurred. Line locations and working dates
were supplied by the U.S.F.S. from seismic company records. Distances between
radioed elk and seismic activity were calculated using the closest perpendicular
distance to a line, or, if daily activity along that line was identified, then
the distance from the activity to the elk (in miles).

Fig. 2 Elk 4-1 under effects of drug. Glacier National Park in background.

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Iff-

TABLE 1

rappinq and tagging information of Two Medicine elk,

Elk #

3-8

Date Collared

3/13/82

Location

Collar Description

Lubec Ridge, S. Fk.
Two Medicine River

Ear Tag #'s

L.E. A6257
R.E. A6256

4-1

4/18/81

Box Creek, S. Fk.
Two Medicine River

L.E. A6254
R.E. A6255

I

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4-6

3/26/80

Blackleaf Creek

L.E. A6260
R.E. A6261

4-7

4/18/81

Mettler Coulee, S. Fk
Two Medicine River

L.E. A6258
R.E. A6259

Results

Elk 4-1 (an adult cow)was collared in the Box Creek drainage on April 18,
1981. Fourteen relocations have since been plotted on topographic and National
Forest maps (see Fig. 3). Seventy percent of the observations of this cow were
made during August and September, which coincided with seismic activities on the
South Fork Two Medicine River and Badger Creek.

On May 19, cow 4-1 was observed on the west end of Two Medicine Ridge and
by June 25 had moved eastward on the ridge to the West Fork of Woods Creek (actual
sighting). A July 9 flight found her approximately five miles south of the
June location (actual sighting). Seismic activity began in the area on August 1
with SSI line #1 (Seisdata Services, Incorporated). Elk 4-1 was located on the
west end of Two Medicine Ridge in heavy timber on August 4, on the opposite side
of the ridge and about 1 mile from the nearest source of surface activity (no
visual). On August 9, she was found in a basin on the north side of Two Medicine
Ridge, again in heavy timber (no visual). This location was approximately 2 miles
from seismic activity and out of sight. Activity on SSI lines #2 and 3 was begun
on August 14. Elk 4-1 was located August 14, in a heavily timbered area 1.5 miles
from the nearest possible ground activity on SSI #1 and two miles from the end
of SSI #2 where no activity had yet taken place. SSI lines #1, 2, and 3 were
completed by August 19. Elk 4-1 was located in heavy lodgepole timber on August 18,
four miles from the nearest activity on SSI #1 and two miles from SSI #2. On
August 19, SEFEL line #12 was started and on August 24 elk 4-1 had moved to a
heavily timbered area between Rowe Creek and Woods Creek. Activity on SSI -2
had ceased by this time and SEFEL #12 was operative. The cow was within 0.5 miles
of SEFEL #12 but the actual ground activity along that line is unknown. On
September 1, the elk was tracked to another timbered area 1.5 miles from SEFEL #12
and two drainages south. On September 4, elk 4-1 was sighted at the head of Lost
Shirt Creek, near the Continental Divide, two miles and two drainages distant
from SEFEL #12. On September 4, SSI #4 ms expected to be done shooting in the
Badger Cabin vicinity. A September 7 location revealed her less than 0.25 miles
from SEFEL #12 which had been finished for approximately 10 days. On September 15,
SEFEL #12 was trashed and on September 18, elk 4-1 was four miles south of the
helicopter activity and two drainages apart. "Trashing" is a helicopter assisted
clean-up procedure after blasting and recording are finished. Trash would include
stakes, flagging, or other debris left from the operation.

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Fig. 3. Movements of elk 4-1 in relation ■
to seismic activity.

Mountain Geoohysical began line =8 on October 8 and had to abandon their
operations early in November because of weather. Elk 4-1 was located on October 2i
on the opposite side of Two Medicine Ridqe, approximately 3.5 miles from the line.
She was found two miles from the Tractive 'ine on November 10.

Fiq. 4 Upper South Fork Two fledicine Rivet-

Elk 4-7, an adult cow, was collared in Mettler Coulee on April 18, 1981, Isee
Fig. 6). Her next location was in upper Hyde Creek on May 19, near the summit
of Mount Paolo on June 25 (visual) ana on upper Hyde Creek again on July 9. Most
of the locations occurred during August and September in order to gauge the impacts
of spis'-iic activity on her summer movements.

Seismic work began on Augusr. 1 and on August 4. elk 4-7 had moved cut of the
Hyde Creek drainage on the opposite side of the ridge from helicopter and blasting
activity. Distance to the nearest activity on the seismic line was 5 miles.
She was located in the same drainage on August 7, but had moved 6.5 miles away
by August 9, as the activity progressed eastward toward her general area.

On August 14, elk 4-7 was sighted near the Continental Divide, 3.5 miles
from the closest activity. On this same day SSI lines #2 and 3 were begun in the
Whiterock Creek-Mount Pablo area. SSI #1 was finished on August 17 and SEFEL #12
began under Elk Calf Mountain. Elk 4-7 was located in heavy timber near the mouth

11 -

of Woods Creek on August 18. SSI lines HZ and 3 were finished on the 17th and
19th of August, respectively, near the Reservation boundary

The elk was observed in upper Lost Shirt Creek on August 25, two drainages
south of the activity on SEFEL #12, which by this time had progressed on down
Two Medicine Ridge toward her last location. She was approximately 2.5 miles
from the nearest seismic work at this time.

On September 4, SSI H was expected to finish its shot hole operation and
elk 4-7 was located back at the head of Hyde Creek. By this time the blasting
activity from SSI lines #1, 2, 3 and SEFEL #12 had subsided.

Elk 4-7 v;as located in the Hyde Creek drainage again on September 7. SEFEL
#12, according to USES records, was trashed on September 15 and on a September 18
flight she was tracked into the Sydney Creek area, four miles south of the previous
two locations.

By October 21, elk 4-7 had moved back up on Two Medicine Ridge at the :iead
of Woods Creek, and on November 10 had situated back on Hyde Creek. Mountain
Geophysical line #8 was active during portions of October, but shut down for the
winter sometime early in November.

Fig. 5 Hyde Creek drainage and Two Medicine Ridge

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Fig. 6. Movements of e]k 4-7 in relation
to seismic activity.

T. 31 N

T 30 N. -

29N

Elk 4-6 was collared March 26, 1980 in Pinq's Coulee, aoproxi matGly two
miles north of the Blackleaf Wildlife Management Area (35 ir.iles southeast of study
area). April and May, 1980 locations were in the South Fork Dupuyer Creek and
Scoffin Butte area. She was not located again until November 12, 1980 in the
Badger Creek drainage. Subsequent locations were all in Lee Creek and Badger
Creek (Fig. 8).

Seismic activity in the Lee Creek-Badger Cabin vicinity began by about
August 10 with SSI lines #3 and 4. Dates and locations of the porta-d'-i 1 1
activity on SSI #4 are sketchy, but apprently the line v/as drilled in segn^ents
and not necessarily in sequence from west to east. SSI #3 skirted the northern
edge of elk 4-5 's known range, while SSI H ran Uu lo the east end of her range
on Lee Creek.

Fig. 7 Continental Divide at head of Lee and Sydney Creeks

On August 14 she was r.»-acked to an area or, the northeast edge of Goat
'•'ountain, a movement that fdlls in line with the seismic work that began on
SSI l^:nes ^3 and 4. By August 13 she was back on Lee Creek, but on Septeniber 1
si,e had moved out of Lee Creek into a heavi"iy timbered area just 0.5 miles from
Badger Cabin. SEFEL #1, using surface charges, began surveys August 24 and was
located northwest of Goat Mountain. This line was also v/orked from ^est to east,
so it is assumed that by the first week in Seotember the blasting would have

- 14 -

M Fiq. 8. Movements of elk 1-5 in reUi>.ion i ''i"

to seismic activity

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progressed eastward out of the Badger drainage. Elk 4-6 remained in the area south
of Badger Cabin until at least September 4, since she was relocated on Lee Creek
September 7. On September 18 the 4-6 signal came from a general area between the
North Fork Badger Creek and Goat Mountain; a precise location was not obtained.
Four days before the ooening of the general hunting season she was again back
in Lee Creek. A November 10 flight indicated that she had moved into heavy timber
between Red Poacher and Whiterock Creeks.

Elk 3-8 was radio collared on Lubec Ridge I'arch 13, 1981, (see Fig. 9). On
May 19 she was north of U.S. Highway 2, just east of Lubec Lake, in Glacier IJational
Park. On June 25 elk 3-8 was on upper Railroad Creek, further into the Park. The
next flight was on July 9 and she had moved up Railroad Creek to Leena Creek. An
August 4 trip into the area revealed that she had moved over Firebrand Pass into
the head of Ole Creek. It is about this tim.e that the helicopter and blasting
activity began on SSI fl, approximately 2 miles southeast of the Park boundary.

The 25th of August elk 3-8 had moved to an east facing slope on the Old Squaw
and spent most of September back on Railroad Creek. She was found on Ole Creek
on October 21 and had moved even further down Ole Creek to a basin under Mount
Despair by November 10.

Elk 1-2 and 3-7 are adult cows that summer along the Middle Fork Flathead
River, in the Great Bear Wilderness, approximately 12 miles south of the study area
Both elk were collared in March, 1979, in roughly the same area as elk 4-6, adjacen
to the Blackleaf Wildlife Management Area. Monitoring of these animals movements
since 1979 has been less intensive than in the study area. The total number of
relocations are listed in Table 2. While no seismic activity has occurred in the
Great Bear Wilderness, human activity in the forn of hunting is much the same in
both areas. The results cf the comnar-^son revealed that the movements of elk most
likely to be displacea (4-1 and 4-7) actually moved between 30 and 50'> more
':.et'.v^'en locations than those in niore isolated locations.

Movements of elk 4-6 are not as easily related to seismic work as those of
4-1 and 4-7, probably because the Leo Creek drainage is more isolated than others
and because seismic lines were not surveyed through her summer use area as they
were in the case of the other two elk. Nonetheless, trends of movements do
correlate with the timing of seismic activity and do support evidence gained in
the study of 4-1 and 4-7.

- 16 -

Il.T.W

T. 31 N.

T 30 N.

29 N.

Fig. 9. Movements of elk 3-fj in r'.'latinn
to seismic activity.

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TABLE 2

Comparison of elk !iioveii;pi: ^3 on two different summer ranges in relation to seismic activity

CO
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Elk #
1-2

3-7

3- 8

4- 1
4-6
4-7

Ave. Movement
Between Relocations

1.72 niles

1.98 miles
1.88 miles
3.05 miles
1.71 mi les
2 . 56 mi les

Number of
Relocations

19

14
8

13
14

12

Frequency of
Relocation

0.6/ mo.

0.4/ mo.
2.0/ mo.
3.0/ mo.
3.2/ mo.
3.0/ mo.

Summer Range Area

Middle Fork Flathead River
Great Bear Wilderness (No
Seismic Activity)

Glacier National Park
South Fork Two Medicine River
North Fork Badger Creek
South Fork Two Medicine River

Although no seismic v;ork occurred within Glacier National Park SSI fl was
close enough to the boundary to have an effect on elk 3-8, and a movement out jf
the area did in fact occur sometime in late July or early August. It is possible
that the sight or sound of helicopters or blasting may have pushed her over Fire-
brand Pass.

Figure 10 shows movements of elk 4-1 and 4-7 before, during, and ofter seisi:iic
activity. Why 4-1 made a long trio from Two Medicine Ridge to the Continental
Divide early in July is unknown. No seismic work had yet taken place. Possibilities
include illegal harrassment by aircraft, movement of cattle into the area the
last week in June, and a one day moto-cross race that wcs held July 12. Preparations
for the race took place in June and numberous "runs" over the course witli bikes were
needed to mark trails, etc. This reasoning is purely speculative, especially, since
data from the previous summer was not obtained on any of the four elk.

After August 1, elk movements began to follow a pattern of avoidance to
helicopters and explosives until late September- wlien activity subsided, it is
interesting that on September 15, SEFEL nl2 was trashed. On September 18 both elk
had moved 2-4 miles from their previous locations on the vacated line; by October c3
they were back in the area of the abandoned line. Sunimering elk in the Two Medicine
drainage apparently have a great affinity for certain habitat types and locations,
as is indicated by their willingness to relocate in such areas after seismic work
was finished. The data suggests that a few days of activity is tolerated but wnen
that time limit is exceeded elk begin a series of moveinents to avoid tiie disturcdnce.

Discussion

Analysis of "loven'ents of four radio collared elk in the Badger-Two Medicine
drainanes from May throuqh Novenbei-, 1981, indicates r- tendency to avoid visual
distrubances rather than auditory signals, at least initially. Seismic blasting
could be heard in all drainages of the study area during August, however, elk
movements appeared to be more related to visual barriers between them and hui';an
activity. The average distance moved between relocations is presented in Table 2.
Elk 4-7 showed similiar tendencies to 4-1 in relation to movements in areas where
seismic blasting occurred. Distances moved by both elk increased as the disturbance
approached areas that they frequented.

Wintering big game species, especially elk, in the Two Medicine-Badger
drainages are severly limited, both by time and space. Year round illegal hunt-
ing iiiay cause excessive energy expenditures due to induced avoidance behavior.

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Foraging areas that are relatively inaccessable by humans are few. Fortunately,
forage quality is good and wintering elk make use of these windswept rough fescue
openings. It is interesting to note that while summering elk are in areas adjacent
to grazing allotments not one relocations was made where the two intermingled.
Winter habitat is generally occuppied after cattle are removed from the forest.

The quality of forage for wintering elk is directly related to successful
reproduction. Thorne, et al . (1976) found that in Wyoming elk, a calf that was
born weighing approximately 16 kg. or more at birth would have a 90% chance
of survival to one month of age. Chances for survivial fell below 50% when calf
weights were less than 11.4 kg. Energy expenditures during winter months are
critical to elk and any additional disturbances result in an energy deficit, both
to the cow and her fetus. In severe cases herd productivity suffers with total
population levels falling within a few years. Considering the amount of human
activity in this area, it is apparent that some degree of regulation may be
necessary to insure a viable, healthy elk herd.

Winter activity should be ke-pt at a minimum. Illegal hunting is a problem
which will likely persist, and, even though the entire wintering herd is not
affected at the same time, movements to avoid these activities may be very costly
(enerqy-wise) to the whole population. It is recommended that no seismic exploration
be allowed on winter foraging areas or adjacent thermal cover from November 1 -
May 1. These dates provide flexiability for elk to deal with hunters, winter con-
ditions, and early calving periods. Disturbance on known cal vi.ng grounds and
s;r: inq migration zones should be prevented from May 1 - June 30. This will insure
tirit calving elk and those migrating with calves will be able to establish on
'junner ranges before seismic activity begins.

Specific travel routes should be designated for aircraft and work crews to
r-iimiiiize "cut across" traffic between lines. Helicopters in flight should maintain
a 500 foot elevation above valley bottoms, sideslopes and passes. In areas of
coat and sheep concentrations timberline areas and above should be avoided as
i LiCii as possible with no hovering or low altitude passes in selected alpine zones
^.^osli•^, 1981). It is suggested that these travel routes be no more than 0.5 miles
wide.

A distance of at least one main river drainage or three tributary drainages
should be maintained between concurrent seismic lines. The South Fork Two

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Fig. 10. Movements of two cow elk in relation to seismic blasting
and associated activities.

Medicine River would be defined as a main drainage, with Sydney Creek, for
example, serving as a tributary stream. Lines running transversely to the
direction of streams or drainages could be handled in a manner which would
allow at least 5 miles between concurrent lines, making sure that adequate visual
barriers were available.

Aldo Leopold (1933) put it very neatly, "control is the combination of
science and use". Therefore, in order to fully understand the complexities of
our resources we need to integrate management theory with resource use. Hope-
fully, impact studies such as this one will contribute something towards that
end.

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Literature Cited

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and hunter distribution in Montana. Jour. Forestry. 77(3) : 155-159 .

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Mountain elk and Rocky Mountain mule deer habitat to timber management in

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